Ignition system analyzer



y 1950 H. D. CURRIER IGNITION SYSTEM ANALYZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1947 0 O O 0 t I 0 I 0 I 0 Lvvs/vroz HZRAM D. 61113121512 BTLD L f5 70 A rf May 23, 1950 H. D. CURRIE'R IGNITION SYSTEM ANALYZER Filed March 27, 1947 a a9 a7 3 32 I I 32 23 n 2.9 28 4? 22 251 F 11 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOQ HIRAM D. CURE/E12 Patented May 23, 1950 OFFICE IGNITION SYSTEM ANALYZER Hiram D. Currier, Chicago, 111., aisle-nor of onehalitoInuisLBllsomEvanstomlll.

Application March 2' 1947, Serial N0. 737,458

14 Claims. (Cl. 175-183) The present invention relates to means for analyzing conditions in an ignition system, such as in a line from an ignition coil to a spark plug, by removing the lead to the spark plug and contacting the invention to such lead and to such spark plug, and also having a connection to ground, the novel means having an indicating means capable of indicating the condition or conditions in the ignition circuit, such as a leakage in the spark plug, in such a way as to give an analysis of the particular condition being analyzed, and having capacitors, resistance, and gap means so associated with the indicating means and the ground connection as to produce electrical eflects in the indicating means in accordance with and as analytical of any abnormality in the ignition circuit, the indicating means indicating the kind or nature of such abnormality.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means that is self-contained and in the nature of a unitary device with a contact element, as a prod, for contact with an ignition circuit part or lead, normally running to the spark plug but disconnected therefrom when analyzing, and a pair of other contact elements, which may have suitable clip or clamping means for connection to ground and to the spark plug, all the parts, aside from the contact elements, being housed and sealed in a holder, and this holder having a novel means, as a window for afiording visual reception of the effects produced in the indicating means, which may be a light or lamp of the neon type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel holder with novel means for assembling the parts of the unit in the holder, and also for sealing the holder from access of moisture, dust or the like, and for holding 511:: parts firmly in a most convenient and self-contained arrangement for direct electrical effects without losses that would otherwise be present in a difierent arrangement, and yet very convenient of assembly when making up the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel sight means for aflording facile viewing of the indicating means when effecting an analyz ing or the ignition circuit.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities, features and the like are comprehended by the in-. vention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring briefly to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammrtic view of the invention when connected in an ignition system for analyzv mi Fig. 2 is a side view or a holder used in the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, or the sight means portion;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view 01' the invention; Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view at a normal to that shown in Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 8-8 in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

Referring more in detail to the drawings the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention is shown in connection with an ignition system which has an ignition coil comprising a primary l, a secondary l, a distributor 3, and a lead 4 normally connectable to a spark plug 5 by way of a lead connector 6. The present invention is connected in the circuit between the connector 6 and the spark plug 5 and comprises a prod I having a connector 8 connected to a spark gap means I in turn connected by way of a conductor l running to a common contact means it.

From this common contact means ii runs a conductor l2 to a. capacitor l3 thence to conductor parts [4 and I and to ground It, which latter may be the metal frame Of the machine. This conductor part I5 may have a suitable type of spring clip or clamp means H (see Fig. 4) for connecting to the ground l6.

From the common contact means II also runs a conductor I8 to a resistance 19 connected by way 01 a conductor 20 running to the conductor H-IS, whereby the resistance 39 is in parallel with the capacitor I3. 1

From the common contact means II runs a conductor 2| by way of a capacitor 22 and conductor segments 23 and 24 running to the spark plug 5. The conductor may have a suitable type of spring clip or clamp means 25 (see Fig. 4) for connecting to the spark plug 5.

From the common contact means H runs a conductor 26 to an indicator 21, which is preferably of the neon lamp type, this indicator having electrodes 28 and 29, the conductor 26 being connected to an electrode, as the electrode 28, and from the other electrode, as the electrode 29, runs a conductor 30 which is connected to the conductor segments 23 and 24.

The spark plug 5, as usual, has a connection to ground 3|, which may be a part of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5, 2, 3 and 6 is shown a holder 32, of insulating material, vin which the above-described parts are, in the main,-housed. In an end portion of the holder 32 is force fitted or otherwise attached a disc 35, also of insulating material, the peripheral edge of which fits closely.

in the end portion of the holder 32.

The prod 1 has a hollow shank or skirt 36 the open end of which is fitted firmly in a suitable hole or opening provided in the disc 35 so that an end of the conductor 8 extends into the shank or skirt 36 and also into the prod part I which has a small recess in which the end of the conductor 8 fits with a tight fit or may be otherwise fixed, as desired. v

Spacedly within the end portion of the holder 32 from the disc 35 is press fitted or otherwise attached a fiat piece 31, also of insulating material, of polygonal form so as to have corner} portions 38 (see Fig. 6) which engage the wall "faulty spark plug. If the circuit is in proper conof the holder 32, and has cut-out portions to provide holes 39, through one of which passes or extends the conductor 8. This piece 31. is for gathering and holding the extra length portion of the conductor 8 in the space between this piece 31 and the disc 35 to prevent such conductor from contacting with any of the parts of the means in the holder 32, such as from contacting the spark gap means 9 or some other conducting part, such as the conductor 23, or the like.

At and in the other end portion of the holder 32 is force fitted or otherwise attached a disc 42, also of insulating material, the peripheral edge of which fits closely in the end portion of the p In the disc 42 are provided suitable holes or openings in which fit suitable eye means holder 32.

or grommets 43 and 44 for the passage therethrough of the conductors 24 and I5, respectively, and the openings in these eye means or grommets are such as to closely fit with the conductors 24 and i to seal them so as to prevent entry of moisture, dust or the like, within the holder 32. These parts 43 and 44 also are preferably of insulating material.

Within the holder 32 is suitably supported a supporting piece or strip 40, also of insulating material, and on this strip 48 are suitably supported or carried various parts of the device, such as the lamp 21, the condensers 22 and 13, the resistance l9, and the common contact member or means II, and suitable holes or apertures 4|, i 45 and 46 are provided for the passage or extenj sion therethrough of the conductors 30,12 and 2|, and I4, respectively. See Figs. 4 and 5. At the upper end of the strip 43, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the spark gap means 9 is suitably carried or supported, as desired.

In the wall of the holder 32 is provided a window for viewing the lamp 21, this window com prising an opening or hole 41 (see Fig. 3) and over this opening is placed a transparent sheet 5| which may be of thin material,-such as of any suitable material or mica, synthetic material, or the like. This sheet 5| is wrapped about the holder 32, as shown, and is suitably sealed to the holder 32 along the border portions of the sheet I or wrapper 5|, as indicated at 52 and 53 in Fig. 2.

Hence, the wrapper 5| is sealed to the holder 32 v to prevent entry of humidity, dust, or the like, as by way of the window 41. Since the wrapper 3 5| is of transparent material, that portion, as 54, f of the wrapper 5| will permit transmission of 1 light rays from the lamp 1 tester.

21 to be seen by the In operation or use the terminal clip 6 is disconnected from the spark plug 5 and the con- 3 ductor 24 with its clip is connected to the spark 1 plug 5, and also the conductor l5 and its clip 11 is connected to ground 16. Thence, the prod 1 1 is contacted with the terminal the Edis tributor 3 operates an through the device. The impulse is by way or the spark gap 8 and the condenser 13 as well as to the resistor 19, and to ground Hi. It does not flow to or through the condenser 22, nor through the light 21, nor across the gap of the spark plug 5, because the potential is not sufiicient to break down the spark plug gap, the energy having been absorbed through the path of the condenser l3 and the resistance l9, which are in parallel. 0n the other hand, if there be a leakage in the spark plug, as'represented by, a resistance 55 (see Fig. 1), the potential across the spark plug terminals is sufficient to permit current to fiow through the lamp 21 and cause it to glow, thus indicating a dition the lamp 21 does not glow.

By way of example, for a successful operation of the device, the condensers l3 and 22 will have resistance l9 will be 5.6 megohms. -measure leakage up to 22 megohms.

a value of 0.01 microfarad, and the value of the That will- The function of the spark gap 9 is to segregate the wiring of the testing equipment from the wiring of the ignition coil and the distributor after cessation of the distributor impulse. The resistance [9 is placed in the circuit, as shown in Fig. 1, in parallel with the condenser 13 so that this condenser may be discharged between impulses derived irom the distributor 3 and thus be made available to absorb the next impulse, as previously described.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but comprehends other constructions, details, arrangements of parts, features or the like without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim: 1. An analyzer of the character disclosed in an ignition system having a source of ignition potential, a distributor, and a spark plug; the combination therewith of a spark gap means, conducting means including two segments for afiording conductance from the spark gap means through two paths of conductance, one of said segments including a signal and a condenser both in series with the spark plug, and the other of said segments including a condenser and a resistance, and a ground connected to said latter condenser and resistance, of which said second path is for absorbing the potential charges'whenno leakage exists in the spark plug and said first path. becoming operative to cause the signalto glow when leakage exists in the spark plug.

2. An analyzer as set forth in claim 1,.and wherein said first mentioned condenser is in shunt with said signal.

3. An analyzer as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second mentioned condenser and said resistance are in parallel.

. 4. An analyzer'as set forth in claim 3, and wherein is provided a common means of connection with which are connected conducting segments running to the spark gap means, to the signal and said first condenser, and to said resistance and to said second condenser.

5. An analyzer as set forth in claim 1, and wherein is provided a common means of connection with which are connected conducting segments from said spark gap means, said signal,

' said condensers, and said resistance.

6. Ananalyzer .as set forth in claim 1, and

wherein said signal is in the form of a neon lamp. 7. An analyzer 'as set forth in claim 1, and

electrical impulse passes s am 8 wherein said second condenser may have a value of about 0.01 microfarad, and said resistance may have a value of about 5.6 megohms.

8. An analyzer of the character disclosed, comprising a hollowholder having an opening, closure sparkgap means, another of said elements connected to said lamp and to one of said capacities, a further one of said elements connected to said resistance and another of said capacities, and electrical conducting members connected from said spark gap means to said capacities, to said lamp, and to said resistance.

9. An analyzer as set forth in claim 8, and wherein is provided a common contact means on said support and wherein said electrical conducting members are connected to said common contact means. I

10. An analyzer as set forth in claim 8, and wherein said holder has a window located opposite said lamp, said window having a transparency sealed to said holder.

' 11. .An analyzer of the character disclosed, comprising a tubular holder having openings at its ends, closure members sealed in said openings, a prod extending through one of said closure members and sealed thereto, an electrical conducting element in said holder and connected to said prod. eyelets in said other closure member and sealed thereto, conducting elements in said holder and extending through said eyelets and sealed thereto, a supporting piece in said holder, 40

a spark gap means on said piece, a signal lamp onsaidpiecc,capacitiesonsaidpicce,aresistanco on said piece, said first-mentioned element connected to said spark gap means... of said secondmentioned elements one is connected to said lamp and to one of said capacities-and another is connected to said resistance and to another of said capacities, and further electrical conducting elements connected to said spark gap :means, to said capacities, to said lamp, and to said resistance.

12. An analyzer as set forth inclaim 11, and wherein is provided a common contact means on. said piece and wherein said last-mentioned conducting elements are connected to said common contact means.

13. An analyzer as set forth in claim 12, and wherein said holder has a window located opposite said lamp, said window having a transparency sealed to said holder.

14. An analyzer as set forth in claim 12, and wherein is provided a window opening opposite said lamp, and a transparent sheet is wrapped around and sealed to said holder and extends over said window opening.

HIRAM D. CURRIER.

REFI'IRJINCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED s'ra'ms ml'rsm'rs 383,504 "1.22;..-" Oct. 13, 1933' 

